PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Pilots women's basketball head coach Michael Meek announced the hiring of Lauren Howard as the new director of basketball operations this Friday.

"We are elated to be adding Lauren Howard to our staff," Meek said. "Having coached Lauren, I know she has always been the type of person that connects well with others and gives her best at all times. Lauren takes initiative, is detail-oriented, possesses a relentless work ethic and is highly organized. Over the past few years Lauren has gained invaluable experience and established an outstanding coaching resume. Her knowledge of the game and ability to work with others makes Lauren an outstanding addition to our program."

"I am very excited to be a part of such an amazing staff here at the University of Portland," Howard said. "Having played for Mike in college, this gives me the opportunity to grow and learn from a different perspective. I feel honored to be a part of a great program and to make UP home."

Howard, then known as Lauren Codling, played for Meek at George Fox University from 2013-15, one of the most successful stretches in program history for the Bruins. She played in all 60 possible contests for the Bruins during that stretch, including starting all 33 games in the 2014-15 season, the same year George Fox went 32-1 and advanced to the NCAA Division III National Championship before falling to the Thomas Moore Saints.

Howard led the team in six different categories in the 2014-15 season and averaged a double-double with 11.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per contest along with an impressive 3.3 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. She was just the fourth player in George Fox history to average a double-double for a season. She earned All-NWC First Team honors.

Howard joins the Pilots after most recently serving as the head basketball coach at Sherwood High School. In her final season as head coach, Sherwood finished 15-10 overall and a perfect 12-0 in league play, advancing to the second round of the OSAA 6A State Championships. She was a substitute teacher for the Sherwood School District for five years (2017-22) and was a social media specialist for Nike from 2015-16.

The Pilots are coming off a stellar 2021-22 season, finishing 20-11 overall to earn 20 wins for the fifth time in program history and the second time since Meek took over as head coach. They earned their third straight playoff berth, accepting an invite to the WNIT and winning a home playoff game against Colorado State. The win was Portland's first in the WNIT and their first ever at home.